The preparatory work for the eventual painting ‘The Glitter Girls’. In this study Heindel explores the ideas he then employs in the finished painting. See how the left figure becomes more important in the painting as opposed within this study

ROBERT HEINDEL

Dance and dancers are Heindel’s inspiration - those he dwells upon in his individual paintings are exquisitely captured but of greater significance is the mood and atmosphere he achieves. He comments ‘dancers have perfect bodies capable of attaining extraordinary physical heights, I find them fascinating. Stage performance is secondary for me when compared to the rigours and genuine emotion I see in rehearsal’

Using his camera as his seeking eyes, Heindel takes literally hundreds of shots during any session of rehearsal observation. After two or more decades of silently moving around a studio, auditorium or in stage wings, he knows his discreet approach leaves the dancers unaware of his presence. In turn he manages to capture not only the obvious but also ‘the moments one thought had been hidden’ ( Sir Anthony Dowell). Once back in his studio, in USA, he sets about the sorting process to discover those moments he chooses to develop. The literal camera shot is eventually transformed through sketch, colour sketch to mixed media canvas or panel. The paintings certainly carry the form of the dancer observed, beyond that its pure Heindel….

As for materials, these are loosely gathered together under the term ‘mixed media’ - certainly oil paint and conte crayon are predominant in the work but almost anything to hand can be employed in the finished works - over the years this has included charcoal, pastel, foil, sequins and even a pair of dancers woollen tights!!